Daily Archive for April 1st, 2008

“Crossing the Falls” - the Jay Cochrane documentary

Published
by
Graham
on April 1, 2008
in Niagara Falls in the Movies
. 0 Comments

The other day I heard from Jay Cheel, the independent documentary filmaker who is working on a Jay Cochrane project. I’ve written about this a couple of times before. We had a bit of an email exchange, and with Jay’s permission, here is some of it:

Jay Cheel:

I just wanted to point you in the direction of a new updated proposal video I have online. The Jay Cochrane project is tentatively titled ‘Crossing the Falls’, and the new video features my interviews with Wayne Thomson, Tim Parker and some Cogeco footage of Wayne’s interview with Jay.
Here’s the link:
http://vimeo.com/810753

Graham Wing:

Awesome!
Did the guy from Niagara This Week ever contact you?
Do you have anything lined up with Jay yet?

Jay:

I haven’t heard from the Niagara This Week guy.
I’m hoping Jay will make it down to Niagara this summer. If so, I’ll definitely be meeting up with him. If not, I’m considering flying down to Florida. I just have to decide what I’m going to do if his proposal is denied!

Graham:

That footage from Cogeco is great. You can really see how intense Jay is.
What plans do you have for “releasing” the finished product when it’s done?

Jay:

Plans for releasing it are up in the air at this point. I still have a year and a half until it will be totally completed, and that’s dependent upon Jay getting permission to actually go through with his walk. I have my fingers crossed both for him and the film.I’ve started sending my proposal out to some production companies, but I will be finishing the film no matter what. At this point it’s a one man show, as I’ve been shooting, editing, lighting and what not all by myself. Hopefully in the future I’ll have some support from a production house. If not, I’ll probably enter the finished product into as many film festivals as possible in hopes to get distribution via television and dvd.

I’m really confident with the footage I have thus far, and I think if everything goes as planned, there could be a great little film here.

The video looks better than ever, and as I mentioned to Jay Cheel, the footage of that interview with Jay Cochrane is great stuff.

Don’t forget to sign the petition!

Lisa’s Travels, Trials and Treats: Niagara Falls

Published
by
Graham
on April 1, 2008
in Niagara Falls Casinos and Gaming, Niagara Falls Dining, Niagara Falls Travel and Niagara Falls Trips
. 0 Comments

Someone named Lisa recently came to Niagara Falls and blogged about it:

We arrived in Niagara Falls around 5:00 p.m. on Friday night and stayed until Sunday morning, where we left and headed over to Lilydale and from there over to Geneva to visit Don’s cousin Ron.

We went to both Casinos while in Niagara Falls and didnt win anything, but didnt lose much either. It was just fun to play on $20.00 for awhile. :) While in Niagara Falls, of course we went to see the Falls, both the Canandian and the American. We also took a drive over to Goat Island which is on the American side. We had a couple of nice dinners at a place called Kelseys which is at the top of Clifton Hill.

Niagara Falls memories from Lexi

Published
by
Graham
on April 1, 2008
in Niagara Falls Attractions, Niagara Falls Dining, Niagara Falls Memories, Niagara Falls Travel and Niagara Falls Trips
. 17 Comments

Anyone who has been visiting the site for a while knows that one of the regular visitors is Lisa from Rochester. A couple of years ago Lisa asked about the layout of Clifton Hill as her niece was doing a project on Niagara Falls. It turns out this neice was Lexi. You may recognize her as someone who has been commenting a little more lately. Lexi is probably the youngest regular visitor we have (she’s in her mid-teens), but has been to Niagara Falls many times. I emailed her and asked her to put together some thoughts about Niagara Falls. This is what she sent:

Hi my name is Lexi. I have been coming to Niagara Falls since I was 3 months old. I have several memories of Niagara Falls pretty much great memories.

I remember sitting on Clifton Hill in that little waterfall thing next to Wendy’s getting my picture taken, riding on the little rides, going on the Double Deck Tour thinking I was a celebrity because I was riding with my own guide (I know there was about 40 others too), taking that Friday Night Horse and Buggie Ride then sitting down at Victoria Park to see the fireworks, staying at the Quality Inn in Room 711 for over 10 years, each night running to my room because I knew the Raccoons would be out for food.

Going to the Skylon Tower not for the view but because my little sister wanted to go on the yellow elevators (actually she wanted her picture with anything yellow). Getting out photo taken going over the falls faking that scared look remembering my little brother was not faking he thought he was going over too.

Going to the Niagara Marketplace and seeing those 3 foot tribal things taking my photos boy I look at that now and some I actually look almost alike. And don’t forget that 6-8 feet stuffed bear had to get my photo with that. Going on the Maid of the Mist being terrified we would go over but so excited after.

Going to Betty’s Restaurant in Chippawa right outside of Niagara Falls. I wonder what was better the homemade food or that piece of pie that was the biggest I have ever seen. Eating breakfast at the Flying Saucer and thinking this was out of space.

Going to Marineland and remembering the Whales actually performing. I still have the photos of me posting at the tank. Boy I wished I could have been picked to feed the whales.

Eating at the Golden Griddle and going to the Buffet almost three times. They had the best food. Seeing the photos here was heartbreaking but who would not want the Skywheel. Remembering the first time going on the Skywheel wondering would I be scared? But remembering coming down the ramp thinking I got to go on again.

The last time riding on the Falls Tower feeling the water leaking on me and thinking they need to renovate this. But, I did not mean tear it down. But having the Fudge shop back boy did they do a great job on that.

Eating at the Rainforest Café and almost having a heart attack when the fake thunderstorms came. But the food was unbelievable. Going to the Hershey Shop and loving the smell of chocolate and enjoying the free samples. Getting the double chocolate shake at the Coke Store. Anyone remember the Ontario Science Place on Falls Avenue? Boy that was fun.

Going through the Mystery Maze and beating the time to get a free pass to the Fun House. It was great back when but boring now. They really need to change that.

Going to Dino Rampage and thinking the snakes and animals actually was jumping out at you. Ripley’s Moving Theatre jolting back and forth what a great ride but hated waiting to get in. Claire’s Harley getting a photo riding a hog. Boy I could go on.

But the memories and feeling of leaving out house and knowing we were on our way. The excitement as soon as we passed though customs. The feeling I can’t wait to spend all that money I save all year and knowing no sooner was the time over I hated turning towards the thruway pass the Pizza Hut.

What is it about the Falls? My Parents, complain on the pricing but we all come back. My Grandparents used to always go and My Aunts still go. I wish I could keep coming back.

Thanks for your contributions Lexi! If anyone else would like to reminisce, send me an email and I’ll post it.